Accessories

Pod Pro review: the portable Apple Watch & iPhone battery dock

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 18, 2016

Those who need a portable battery pack for the Apple Watch that aren't so keen on just plugging the USB end into the receiver of a battery pack and letting the magnetic end dangle around everywhere are going to be hard-pressed to find a good portable battery pack made specifically for the Apple Watch's proprietary charging platform.

Fortunately, Nomad has the Pod Pro, which can be had on Amazon for $85, and is a great solution for on-the-go Apple Watch charging, and even includes a built-in Lightning cable for charging your device, whether it's an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. We'll show you what the Pod Pro is all about in this review.

Blockhead makes your MacBook charging brick less annoying

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 15, 2016

I love my Mac, but honestly, I hate the AC adapter. The 'wall wart,' as I like to call it, sticks out so far from the wall that it can be incredibly inconvenient for plugging in behind couches and in other tight spaces.

Blockhead, which was only just recently announced, eliminates the annoying protrusion of Apple's AC adapter and is now available from Ten One Design.

Now that the Blockhead is available for purchase, we've been lucky enough to get our hands on one. In this review, we'll walk you through its design and how it looks.

Danny P. iPhone Wallet Case review: a premium case with great functionality

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

For the past few weeks, I've been using a leather iPhone wallet from a company called Danny P. It's a vertical bifold wallet, with 5 credit card slots, a spot for cash, and a pouch located on the rear cover that securely holds and protects your iPhone 6 or 6s.

In short, I really like this wallet. It's beautiful, made with premium materials, and has great functionality. It's easily one of my favorite iPhone accessories that I've tested in recent months. But it's not going to be for everyone. Read on for my full review.

Timeframe: the Apple Watch desk stand that doubles as a case

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 13, 2016

Fellow Apple Watch users, the Timeframe by Ten One Design is a wonderful way to enjoy Night Stand mode while it charges at night.

Moreover, it'll still feel as though your device is well-protected from falls or pets that might like to climb up on your night stand at night because it offers a protective bezel that surrounds all of the delicate parts of the device.

In this review, we'll walk you through our thoughts on the Timeframe.

BatteryBox Mini keeps your iPhone (and much more) powered while on the go

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 11, 2016

Because I'm always out and about, and my iPhone can always use a good charge when I'm away from an outlet, external battery accessories are always of great interest to me. BatteryBox, which you may remember made it to both my top 5 accessories for iPhone and top 5 accessories for Mac lists, has long filled that void for me.

Nevertheless, I've been looking for something a little easier to carry around with me when I leave the house or leave the car, and something I can use a little more easily while walking around and while not carrying a backpack.

One solution I've found to work quite well for this need is BatteryBox's little brother, dubbed BatteryBox Mini, which can be had on the BatteryBox website for less than $35. In this review, we'll take you through the features of BatteryBox Mini and show you whether it's a good investment for your needs.

Spotting the signs of a fake Apple Lightning cable

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated June 26, 2018

Whenever you buy a new iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, it'll come with a Lightning to USB cable that you will use to charge and sync your device. On the other hand, you have to be careful when you buy these cables separately, especially online, because you could end up with a counterfeit cable.

A counterfeit is a cable that tries to look just like Apple's OEM Lightning to USB cable, even though it isn't. Using these cables could have an adverse effect on your device, so we'll show you how to spot the differences between a counterfeit and genuine Lightning to USB cable in this piece.

Twelve South unveils ‘TimePorter,’ a travel tote and portable charging stand for Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 7, 2016

Twelve South, the maker of premium Apple-exclusive accessories, on Thursday announced a combined charge and travel stand for the Apple Watch, dubbed the TimePorter. Resembling a luxury eyeglass case, this stylish accessory is designed to hold your Apple Watch charging cable, as well as extra Watch bands USB chargers and more. The case incorporates the Apple Watch charging disc and converts into a travel charging and display stand in an instant.

Mountie: a simple way to mount your iOS device side-by-side with your MacBook

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 7, 2016

Whether you're looking to make multitasking easier by having your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad right next to your computer, or you're using some kind of screen-extension software like Duet Display, the Mountie by Ten 1 Design is a great way to use your iOS device side-by-side with your Mac or PC.

The Mountie, which can be had in either Blue or Green flavors on Amazon for just under $25, is an affordable way to keep your iOS device right where you want it – in front of your face – without needing to shell out big bucks on fancy desk stands.

In this review, we'll show you how the Mountie works and give you our general opinion on why you should or shouldn't consider it for your Apple accessory wish list.

Satechi Aluminum Stand review: a great charging dock for your iPhone or iPad mini

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated April 14, 2016

For the last several years, I have been using a Twelve South HiRise as the main charging dock for my iPhone on my desk. I just like the simplicity of it, in both design and function, but the Satechi Aluminum Charging Stand is a serious contender that I've had the pleasure to use for the past week or so.

Inside, I will share some thoughts and observations about this new dock's design, look, and simple features.

Simple tips for safely cleaning your Mac and other Apple devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated August 15, 2018

Your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and/or any other other fancy high-tech devices you have are fun to use, but they'll easily get dirty and collect dust, sneeze splatter, and bacteria from your fingers over time, whether they're used frequently or not.

To combat grime, you can clean your devices every so often, but like anything else, there's a right and a wrong way to do this.

In this piece, we'll share with you some handy tips for cleaning your Mac and other Apple devices safely so you don't accidentally damage them.

Ottm Apple Watch bands are made of 100% hardwood

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated July 1, 2016

When it comes to wearable technology, such as the Apple Watch and many other competing smartwatches on the market, fashion plays a big role. This isn't just something you take in and out of your pocket all day long; it's something you wear.

For that reason, a startup is launching an Indiegogo campaign for a new Apple Watch band made completely of wood, and it's being called Ottm.

Ottm will come in different kinds of wood colors and fit both 38mm and 42mm Apple Watches, as well as other smartwatches, and they're hand-crafted to ensure they're of the highest quality possible.

Quick thoughts on the new Woven Nylon bands for Apple Watch: cheaply made, but good looking

Sébastien Page ∙ March 31, 2016

I might be a little late to the party, but after spending a week out of the country, I finally returned home last night and got to have a look at three Woven Nylon bands I had ordered for my Stainless Steel Apple Watch: I have the Black, Royal Blue, and Gold/Royal Blue, all in the 42mm version.

In this post, I'll share some of my first impressions about these new bands. This is not a review per say, more like some quick thoughts.